New Gear for Hunters

This time of year, we’re usually combing the aisles of the SHOT Show, searching out all the great, new products for hunters. This year, with all the trade shows cancelled, manufacturers have been trickling out new product announcements over the last few months, with promises of even more before the 2021 hunting season rolls around. While we expect to see some exciting stuff in the near future, here’s a short list of the best new gear for hunters we’ve seen so far.

LaCrosse Women’s Lodestar Boots

After a successful introduction of women’s hunting boots last season, LaCrosse is upping their offerings for 2021. The Lodestar Women’s Hunting boots (pictured above) are crafted of nubuck leather with reinforcing in high-wear areas and rubberized toe guards. Uninsulated, they’re a great choice for early season deer and hunts. They’re equally at home in the turkey woods, thanks to a full Gore-Tex lining that’s 100% waterproof, while still remaining breathable to vent perspiration that causes cold, wet feet. Designed for comfort, with DuraFit heel cups, EVA midsoles and molded footbeds. $230; lacrossefootwear.com

Vortex Carbon Fiber Tripods

Well known for crafting quality scopes and binos, Vortex also offers a number of optical accessories for hunters. For 2021, they’ve introduced an expanded line of tripods, including three new Carbon Fiber models: Radian, Ridgeview and Summit. Of the three, we like the Summit with a smooth pan head, which offers lightweight stability for long hours of glassing, and an attractive street price that should come in around $400. It features a weight capacity of 22 lbs. to accommodate the largest spotting scopes or, when combined with a compatible mounting system, moderate-weight, long-range rifles. It weighs just 2.5 lbs., and collapses to 18 inches. vortexoptics.com

Alps Ghost 30 Pack

A growing number of hunters are eschewing camo and opting for apparel and accessories in muted, solid colors. While Alps calls their Ghost pack and EDC option for concealed carry holders, we love it as hunting pack for day-long or other short excursions. It features a capacity of 1,800 square inches, with a large, U-shaped zipper that makes accessing the interior easy. Mesh pockets inside the main bag and a couple exterior pockets offer plenty of storage options. Built from rugged Cordura with reinforced stitching for long life. $150; alpsoutdoorz.com

Sig Sauer Electro-Optics Zulu6 Stabilized Binoculars

No matter how good the glass or the optical system, a pair of binoculars biggest weakness is the hunter’s inability to hold them steady. To get true clarity and the sharpest image possible, Sig Electro-Optics has created binos with an internal gimbal that eliminates the blurring effect caused from any type of movement. Of course, the Zulu6 binos still features Sig’s patented lens coatings and rugged construction, along with an IPX4 waterproof rating. Available in 10x30 and 16-42mm magnifications. $800-$900; sigsauer.com

KUIU Valo Camouflage

KUIU recently launched their newest camouflage, Valo, a lighter, low-contrast pattern with brown, gray and tan tones that are ideal for the open-country hunter. Great for predator and late-season deer hunts, and even at home in the waterfowl world, Valo features an open design with micro details within the overall pattern to disguise and disrupt when viewed from both near and far. Available in most KUIU garments, as well as the company’s packs and other accessories. Kuiu.com

Moultrie Mobile Delta Cam

Moultire is calling their new Mobile Delta mobile the most powerful cellular trail camera ever built. While that’s a pretty bold statement, we are impressed with its combination of 32-megapixel, high-definition resolution and 80-foot detection and invisible flash range. The company also claims a 12-month battery life under ideal conditions, which admittedly does blow the competition out of the water. We also appreciate the onboard GPS, which aid in recovery should the unit ever get stolen or lost. $100; moultriemobile.com

Easton Axis 4mm Long Range

Serious archers know the advantage of having a micro diameter arrow. Easton has revolutionized the micro diameter arrow by introducing the Axis Long Range. This new arrow has taken the original 5mm design and dropped it to 4mm. These new arrows offer added speed to the target and added penetration. The Long Range line will come in four spine stiffnesses; 250, 300, 340 and 400. 8-32 half-out inserts are included with the arrows allowing for the use of standard thread broadheads. $105; eastonarchery.com

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